Chemistry Professor, an Expert on Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Crude Oil and in the Environment, Joins Waters Centers of Innovation Program

At a ceremony and symposium at Kyungpook National University (KNU), Daegu, South Korea, Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT) today welcomed Dr. Sunghwan Kim, of Kyungpooks’ Department of Chemistry into the Waters Centers of Innovation (COI) Program. Dr. Kim is a leading expert on developing and applying analytical techniques for assessing the impact of PAHs in the environment and for crude oil processing. KNU is the first institution in South Korea to be recognized by Waters Centers of Innovation Program.

“Professor Kim is an expert in mass spectrometry and chromatographic separation. He set up one of the most advanced mass spectrometry and chromatography laboratories in Korea at Kyungpook National University,” said Professor Hong-In Lee, Dean at College of Natural Science. “The facility is used not only to perform his own top-notch research but also to educate undergraduate and graduate students. I am very proud to have Dr. Kim as a colleague in Kyungpook National University.”

“Dr. Kim’s research is unique and contributing greatly to what we know about the effects of PAHs on our environment,” said Eric Fotheringham, Director – Waters Centers of Innovation Program. “Dr. Kim can see the potential of new technologies and he puts them to new uses before many of his contemporaries. We couldn’t be happier to have him and KNU in our program.”

PAHs are a component of crude oil, coal and gasoline and are a byproduct of wood and fossil fuel combustion. Known as a persistent organic pollutant, once in the environment, they are hard to get rid of and their long-term effects are not well understood. Dr. Kim employs analytical chemistry to test for and identify these pollutants in soil, air and water. It is why, in the aftermath of the BP oil spill in 2010, Dr. Kim was hired to consult on the effectiveness of the clean-up and to assess the harm done to marine and plant life.

Kyungpook National University (KNU) is one of the top National Universities in Korea. KNU’s educational mission is to develop students who can contribute to the development and well-being of Korea and global human society. KNU’s research goal is to bring the change and innovation to the world.

About Waters Corporation (www.waters.com)

Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT) develops and manufactures advanced analytical and material science technologies for laboratory dependent organizations. For more than 50 years, the company has pioneered a connected portfolio of separations science, laboratory information management, mass spectrometry and thermal analysis systems.